08/07/2026
100 special donations from Oleg.
Christchurch donor Oleg recently notched up his 100th donation with NZBlood. Many thanks and congratulations Oleg. That’s a lot of lives saved!
Oleg started his lifesaving commitment in Timaru, giving whole blood at mobile blood drives. Upon moving to Christchurch, he began donating plasma and has been very consistent with fortnightly appointments. An incredible commitment and contribution to the community! Thanks again!
Oleg usually donates a special type of plasma called Cryoprecipitate (Cryo).
Cryo comes from your plasma and is used to prevent or control bleeding in people whose own blood does not clot properly. Cryo is a source of fibrinogen for patients who cannot produce the necessary amount of this important clotting protein on their own. Fibrinogen makes the protein meshwork in clots to stop the bleeding. This is used in patients who are experiencing a major haemorrhage (surgery, trauma, obstetrics).
Once donated, Cryo is processed and transfused straight to patients needing these lifesaving treatments.
Only men can donate Cryo because women often produce antibodies to their baby’s white cells. These antibodies are found in the plasma and, if transfused to a patient with a similar tissue type to the baby, can cause a fatal transfusion reaction. Men who have never been transfused, or pregnant, don’t make these antibodies.
Whether donating whole blood, plasma, or platelets, every donor and donation is special in some way. Please get in touch to find out how you can be a special donor too.
